When a classmate shot Hollan Holm in the head, he handled it with dark humor. But when, more than 20 years later, his daughter described an active shooter drill at her school, Holm couldn’t find it funny anymore. 

Five bullets, including one to the spine, left Will Thomas paralyzed. More than 10 years later, Will is finally taking some control of his life and looking to create a better future.

After attending the funeral of a friend, Ra’Shauna Brown was chatting with other mourners when a gunman opened fire, killing three. Police said the shooting was part of a nine-day rampage that began over a stolen bracelet. 

 At 23 years old, Layla Bush was excited to work her first full-time job after college. Then a politically motivated gunman opened fire at her work, killing one. She remembers that the shooter looked her in the eye, acknowledging what he was doing just before he pulled the trigger.

 Javier Arango can’t remember a time when his life wasn’t immersed in violence. Born in conflict-ravaged Colombia, he moved to Oakland for refuge — only to be paralyzed by a bullet.